Plant-master Posted January 9, 2022 Share Posted January 9, 2022 Hi, my Betta has been acting weird the past two days. Laying around a lot but still coming to the surface for air. Still eating fine but being very lethargic. The water parameters are 7.0 PH, 0 nitrates, 0 nitrite , 0 ammonia and the tank is 78 degrees. What should I do?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beau Burkhalter Posted January 9, 2022 Share Posted January 9, 2022 Could be stress. Anyone else in the tank? How hard is the water? Generally they like soft water. Ph could be lower but it’s prob fine 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plant-master Posted January 9, 2022 Author Share Posted January 9, 2022 On 1/9/2022 at 11:48 AM, Beau Burkhalter said: Could be stress. Anyone else in the tank? How hard is the water? Generally they like soft water. Ph could be lower but it’s prob fine There is no one else in the tank, and I currently don’t have anything Test GH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quikv6 Posted January 9, 2022 Share Posted January 9, 2022 How long has the tank been established? 0 nitrates, with the exception being heavily planted, could sometimes indicate a cycling issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Native Keeper Posted January 9, 2022 Share Posted January 9, 2022 see if you can get a better-quality pic of him. I would think Dropsy, and the best way to spot Dropsy is looking at their scales. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plant-master Posted January 9, 2022 Author Share Posted January 9, 2022 This is a brand new cube aquarium, I put her in her old water from her 10 gallon into the cube. I hope this is a better photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BETTA999 Posted January 9, 2022 Share Posted January 9, 2022 how old is he ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plant-master Posted January 9, 2022 Author Share Posted January 9, 2022 On 1/9/2022 at 3:23 PM, bettta999 said: how old is he ??? I have had her for 3 months Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BETTA999 Posted January 9, 2022 Share Posted January 9, 2022 ok it could be dropsy his scales look weird Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H.K.Luterman Posted January 9, 2022 Share Posted January 9, 2022 Did you put in a cycled sponge filter or media into the new tank? Just using the same water will not cycle a tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laritheloud Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 Doesn't look like dropsy to me, but I am concerned about the tank's cycle. If you didn't put cycled filter media or a cycled sponge into the tank, your tank is not cycled, and you need to check parameters daily and do partial water changes at least every other day (daily, if needed). Right now I'd wait-and-see and judge it as stress, and bump up the frequency of your water changes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 @Plant-master I think what some of our fish co-horts are trying to say is that we're concerned the tank isn't properly cycled. Betta fish are exremely finicky. Old water doesn't have the good bacteria in it- the surfaces, substrate, plants, decorations and filter from her old tank would have these things. If you have any of that immediately put some in to help cycle the tank. Some would poo-poo this idea but things like Seachem's Stability has helped me get tanks through the new period even with cycled material. I would also raise the temperature to 80. Have you taken the temp from an independent thermometer? I've also learned betta's need high humidity. If you have a loose lid on this tank I would put a piece of plastic wrap over the top to keep some humidity in. What size was her old tank? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plant-master Posted January 10, 2022 Author Share Posted January 10, 2022 On 1/9/2022 at 6:10 PM, xXInkedPhoenixX said: @Plant-master I think what some of our fish co-horts are trying to say is that we're concerned the tank isn't properly cycled. Betta fish are exremely finicky. Old water doesn't have the good bacteria in it- the surfaces, substrate, plants, decorations and filter from her old tank would have these things. If you have any of that immediately put some in to help cycle the tank. Some would poo-poo this idea but things like Seachem's Stability has helped me get tanks through the new period even with cycled material. I would also raise the temperature to 80. Have you taken the temp from an independent thermometer? I've also learned betta's need high humidity. If you have a loose lid on this tank I would put a piece of plastic wrap over the top to keep some humidity in. What size was her old tank? It was a 6 gal, now it’s a 3 gal On 1/9/2022 at 6:08 PM, laritheloud said: Doesn't look like dropsy to me, but I am concerned about the tank's cycle. If you didn't put cycled filter media or a cycled sponge into the tank, your tank is not cycled, and you need to check parameters daily and do partial water changes at least every other day (daily, if needed). Right now I'd wait-and-see and judge it as stress, and bump up the frequency of your water changes. Actually I have been doing water changes or every day For the past week. But I will continue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 Ah ok I would have guess you put her in a bigger tank which would change the temperature if the same heater was used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plant-master Posted January 10, 2022 Author Share Posted January 10, 2022 On 1/9/2022 at 6:44 PM, xXInkedPhoenixX said: Ah ok I would have guess you put her in a bigger tank which would change the temperature if the same heater was used. Oh. Ok I just put in my old sponge filter in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 Perfect, that will help tremendously. Keep a very close eye on further visible and behavioral changes on your betta girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plant-master Posted January 10, 2022 Author Share Posted January 10, 2022 On 1/9/2022 at 6:47 PM, xXInkedPhoenixX said: Perfect, that will help tremendously. Keep a very close eye on further visible and behavioral changes on your betta girl. Ok will do. Thank for help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plant-master Posted January 10, 2022 Author Share Posted January 10, 2022 On 1/9/2022 at 6:51 PM, Plant-master said: Ok will do. Thank for help. Is there anything else I should do to help her out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 (edited) That's hard to say right now, as others have said she's probably stressed, so the concern is her catching something because of it with compromised immune system. The most important thing right now is to make sure her water is pristine, her stress is low (you could dim the light), the temp is good, and you keep an eye on her. No point in trying to treat anything when you don't see further symptoms and we could kinda bet on the cause of her lethargy right now being stress from the move. You could consider adding aquarium salt as it will help reduce stress, help her produce slime coat and prevent bacterial issues. Follow the instructions on the aquarium salt container or use a half dose. But if you just moved her 2 days ago I wouldn't try to do too many more things as it will just add to her stress. Putting the filter in should help but you're not going to see improvement right away. Watch for further behavior changes and physical signs of illness, with bettas specifically, white spots (ick), fuzzy spots (fugus), bloating (with raised scales), constipation (make sure she's pooping), and fin rot (torn or ragged fins). Edited January 10, 2022 by xXInkedPhoenixX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plant-master Posted February 6, 2022 Author Share Posted February 6, 2022 Hi it’s been awhile but I’m still have the same trouble with this betta. I have done everything you guys have recommended and am having no success. She still very lethargic, trouble swimming, slight ter in fins, she has lost a Lot of color and has just now stopped eating. I don’t know what to do. Parameters are 7.0 PH, 0 Nitrates, 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite. I feed Hikari vibra bites. The guys at the fish store said that they don’t what to do but to give her time, it’s been about 4 weeks and nothing has gotten better. But she is holding on for life and it’s hard to watch her like this. Is there any type of medication I can give her? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quikv6 Posted February 6, 2022 Share Posted February 6, 2022 I would add some Aquarium salt, and a broad spectrum antibiotic, like Kanaplex. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAT Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 I agree with @quikv6 salt works wonders i see plants so you might have to move to a quarantine tank if you don’t want to worry about the plants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now